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The Digital Assets: What Happens to Your Online Life After You Die?

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Including digital assets in a Will in the UK is a modern necessity to prevent financial loss, loss of irreplaceable family memories, and unnecessary distress for your loved ones. Since UK law struggles to keep pace with technology, the key to protecting these assets lies in creating a secure, separate inventory that clearly instructs your Executors on how to access and manage everything from cryptocurrency and online bank accounts to social media profiles and cloud photo albums.

digital assets

The Hidden Estate: Dealing with Digital Assets in a Will

When a family member passes away, the priority for the bereaved is often dealing with the home, the physical bank accounts, and the paperwork. Yet, in our modern world, much of a person’s life—and often a significant part of their financial and sentimental value—is stored behind passwords.

This is the hidden estate: digital assets.

If these accounts are not clearly dealt with in a Will, the task of settling the estate can become complicated, painful, and even illegal for your Executors. Our team understands that managing this digital legacy is not just a legal headache; it’s about protecting the irreplaceable memories and value you leave behind.

What Exactly Are Digital Assets?

Digital assets are anything that exists only in a digital format and comes with a right to use or own. They are divided into three main categories, and it is vital your Executors know about all of them:

1- Financial/Valuable

Assets with actual monetary worth: Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, etc.), NFTs, online banking, PayPal balances, domain names, and royalty payments from online work.

2- Sentimental/Personal

Items that hold immense emotional value, but little financial worth: Cloud storage (iCloud, Google Drive), email accounts (containing correspondence), photo albums, and digital music or film libraries.

3- Social/Utility

Accounts needed for communication or subscriptions: Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram), loyalty reward schemes, and subscription services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify).

The Three Losses of an Unresolved Digital Estate

Failing to plan for your digital footprint can lead to painful and avoidable losses for your beneficiaries:

Financial Loss

For valuable assets like cryptocurrency or online investments, the loss can be permanent. These assets are often secured by private keys or seed phrases, which are virtually impossible to retrieve without the owner’s knowledge. If your Executors cannot access the digital wallet, the assets are effectively lost forever. Similarly, ongoing subscriptions or online business payments could continue for months, quietly draining the estate’s funds.

Sentimental Loss

This is often the most distressing loss for a grieving family. Family photographs, videos, and cherished emails are often stored only in the cloud. If the account details are not known, the provider may delete the account after a period of inactivity, or simply refuse to grant access due to privacy laws, meaning years of irreplaceable memories vanish.


Social and Privacy Concerns

If a Will doesn’t specify what should happen to social media accounts, they are often left in digital limbo. They can remain active, be vulnerable to hacking, or be closed abruptly. While providers like Facebook and Google offer “Legacy Contact” or “Inactive Account Manager” features, these must be set up before death. Without these permissions, your family has a complex, documentation-heavy process just to have the account memorialised.

The UK Legal Hurdle: Terms of Service

The biggest difficulty with digital assets in a UK Will stems from the clash between Will law and contract law.

In the UK, your Will grants your Executor the authority to deal with your property. However, when you created your email or social media account, you signed a contract—the Terms of Service (ToS)—with the provider (often based outside the UK).

Most ToS agreements state that you are buying a licence to use the service, not ownership of the account itself. Crucially, they usually prohibit sharing your login details, and the licence terminates on your death.

An Executor who attempts to log in using a password may technically be in breach of contract and, in some rare cases, might even risk violating the Computer Misuse Act 1990. This confusing landscape is why simply writing “I leave my Facebook account to my son” in your Will is not enough; access is often denied by the service provider.

(Note: Recent government proposals, such as the Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill, are aimed at clarifying the law to formally recognise digital assets as property, but the practical access challenge remains for now.)

The Simple Solution: The Digital Asset Inventory

The best way to protect your digital legacy and avoid disputes is by separating the instruction from the sensitive details.

Crucially, never include passwords or private keys directly in your Will. Your Will becomes a public document after probate, creating a major security risk.

Instead, take these simple steps:

  • Create a Digital Asset Inventory: Make a clear list of all your digital accounts, including the URL, the type of asset (financial, sentimental), and the desired outcome (close, delete, memorialise, or transfer).
  • Use a Secure Storage System: Store the sensitive access information (passwords, private keys, etc.) in a secure password manager or in a sealed letter kept in a fireproof safe, or with your Solicitor alongside your Will.
  • Appoint a Digital Executor: Name a trusted person—often your main Executor—in your Will and specifically grant them the power to manage your digital assets, collect any financial value, and close non-transferable accounts.
  • Tell Your Executor: Ensure they know where the secure inventory list is located and how to access it upon your passing.

Planning for your digital estate is an act of care. It ensures that your valuable assets remain protected and that your loved ones can easily hold onto the precious, sentimental memories you created online.

If you are dealing with a disputed Will that involves complex digital holdings, our specialist team can help. We have the expertise to navigate the technical and legal challenges of modern probate.

The Emotional Side of Losing Digital Assets

The sudden disappearance of digital memories can cause intense emotional pain and distress for grieving families. When Executors cannot access private photo albums or personal correspondence stored in the cloud, it’s not just data that is lost—it’s the final, tangible connection to the deceased. This loss can significantly compound the grieving process, leaving families with the heartbreaking knowledge that precious, irreplaceable memories were right there, but locked away forever due to a lack of simple planning.

If you recently lost a loved one and feel stuck on what to do with their digital assets, you are not alone. We are right here with you to navigate this situation and come up with a proper solution.

How did this emotionally affect you? Share your story in the comments; We’d love to hear from you.

Ready to Secure Your Family’s Inheritance?

If you or a loved one needs to address complex or disputed digital assets within an estate, don’t leave it to chance. Contact us today for a free, confidential assessment of your eligibility.

Make sure to check our guide on The Success Rates of Contesting a Will: Separating Legal Fact from Emotional Fear

FAQs

1. Can an Executor be held liable for losing digital assets in a Will UK?

Yes, an Executor has a duty to collect and preserve all assets of the estate, which includes digital assets. If they fail to take reasonable steps to secure valuable digital property, such as cryptocurrency, and that loss could have been prevented, they could potentially face a claim for negligence from the beneficiaries.

2. What does it mean to memorialise a social media account?

To memorialise an account (like Facebook or Instagram) means the platform converts the deceased person’s profile into a tribute page. The word “memorialised” confirms the user is deceased and locks the account, preventing new logins or posts while preserving existing content like photos and tributes. This is a respectful way to preserve the account and prevents it from being deleted or misused. For many platforms, this process is managed by a Legacy Contact nominated by the user before their death.

3. What is a “Legacy Contact,” and how does it relate to digital inheritance?

A Legacy Contact is a feature offered by some social media providers, like Facebook, that allows you to nominate a person to manage your account after your death. They can accept memorialisation requests, download certain content, or write a final tribute. This feature overrides the complex legal process and is highly recommended as a simple step for social media accounts.








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Frequently asked questions.

Disputes over wills can arise in several circumstances, including:

  • Testamentary capacity: The person who made the will (known as the testator) must have had the mental capacity to understand what they were doing and the consequences of their actions. This means that they must have been able to understand the nature and extent of their property, the people they were giving their property to, and the people they were excluded from their will.

 

  • Valid execution: The will must have been executed correctly under the law. This means it must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two independent witnesses.

 

  • Undue influence: The testator must have made the will freely and without any pressure from others. The will may be invalid if someone was unduly influenced to make a will. Undue influence can occur when someone takes advantage of a testator’s vulnerability, such as if the testator is elderly, ill, or has a mental disability.

 

  • Fraud or forgery: If the will was forged or if someone fraudulently induced the testator to make the will, the will may be invalid.

 

Claims against a will must usually be made within six months of the grant of probate being issued. This is the legal document that gives the executor the authority to administer the estate. If a claim is not made within this time, it may be too late to challenge the will.

As such, executors often wait until this six-month period has expired before distributing the estate. This is to avoid having to distribute the estate and then having to take it back if a successful claim is made against the will.

Here are some examples of how these disputes can arise:

  • A family member may dispute a will if they believe that the testator did not have the mental capacity to make a will. For example, if the testator was suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease at the time the will was made.
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A family member may dispute a will if they believe that it was not executed correctly. For example, if the will is not signed by the testator or if it is not witnessed by two independent witnesses.

 

  • A family member may dispute a will if they believe that they were unduly influenced to make the will. For example, if a caregiver or another family member pressured the testator to make the will in their favour.

 

  • A family member may dispute a will if they believe that it was forged or if someone fraudulently induced the testator to make the will. For example, if someone forged the testator’s signature on the will or if someone lied to the testator about the contents of the will.

If you are thinking about disputing a will, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. We can assess your case and advise you on your legal options.



Types of Trusts

Many different types of trusts can be set up, depending on your specific needs and goals. Some of the most common types of trusts include:
Bare Trusts: A bare trust is a simple type of trust in which the trustee holds the assets for the benefit of the beneficiary. The beneficiary is entitled to the income and capital of the trust as soon as they are old enough to receive them.

Interest in Possession Trusts: An interest in possession trust is a type of trust in which the beneficiary is entitled to the income from the trust immediately, but not to the capital until a later date. This type of trust is often used for minor beneficiaries or for beneficiaries who are not yet responsible enough to manage their own money.

Discretionary Trusts: A discretionary trust is a type of trust in which the trustee has the discretion to decide how and when to distribute the income and capital of the trust to the beneficiaries. This type of trust is often used for families with multiple beneficiaries or beneficiaries with special needs.

Accumulation Trusts: An accumulation trust is a type of trust in which the income from the trust is accumulated and not distributed to the beneficiaries until a later date. This type of trust is often used to save for a specific purpose, such as a child’s education or a retirement fund.

Mixed Trusts: A mixed trust is a type of trust that combines elements of different types of trusts. For example, a trust may be a discretionary trust for one beneficiary and an interest in possession trust for another beneficiary.

Settlor-Interested Trusts: A settlor-interested trust is a type of trust in which the settlor (the person who creates the trust) retains some interest in the trust assets. For example, the settlor may retain the right to receive income from the trust or to appoint the trustee.

Non-Resident Trusts: A non-resident trust is a type of trust that is created and governed by the laws of a country other than the country where the settlor or beneficiaries reside.
Which type of trust is right for you will depend on your specific needs and goals. It is important to consult with an estate planning attorney to discuss your options and choose the type of trust that is best for you.
Here are some examples of how different types of trusts can be used:
A bare trust can be used to hold assets for a minor child until they reach the age of majority.

An interest in possession trust can be used to provide income to a beneficiary who is not yet responsible enough to manage their own money.

A discretionary trust can be used to manage assets for a family with multiple beneficiaries or for beneficiaries with special needs.

An accumulation trust can be used to save for a specific purpose, such as a child’s education or a retirement fund.

A mixed trust can be used to achieve a variety of different goals, such as providing income to one beneficiary and preserving capital for another beneficiary.

A settlor-interested trust can be used to retain some control over trust assets after the settlor has created the trust.

A non-resident trust can be used to reduce estate taxes or to protect assets from creditors.
It is important to note that this is just a brief overview of the different types of trusts. There are many other types of trusts available, and each type of trust has its own specific features and benefits. For more information please visit www.gov.uk/trusts-taxes/types-of-trust

Inheritance trust disputes can be complex and varied, but some common scenarios include:

  • Disputes over the validity of the trust: This can happen if the settlor (the person who created the trust) does not have the mental capacity to create a trust, or if the trust deed was not executed correctly.

 

  • Disputes over the interpretation of the trust deed: If the trust deed is poorly drafted or unclear, it can lead to disputes between the trustees and beneficiaries about how the trust should be administered.

 

  • Disputes over the appointment or removal of trustees: Trustees have a legal duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. If a trustee is not acting in the best interests of the beneficiaries, the beneficiaries may apply to the court to have the trustee removed.

 

  • Disputes over the investment of trust assets: Trustees have a legal duty to invest trust assets prudently. If a trustee makes investments that are too risky or that lose money, the beneficiaries may sue the trustee for breach of duty.

 

  • Disputes over the distribution of trust assets: Trustees have a legal duty to distribute trust assets to the beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the trust deed. If a trustee distributes trust assets incorrectly, the beneficiaries may sue the trustee for breach of duty.

 

Here are some specific examples of inheritance trust disputes that have occurred in the UK:

  • In one case, a beneficiary disputed the validity of a trust deed on the grounds that the settlor (the person who created the trust) did not have the mental capacity to create a trust at the time it was set up.

 

  • In another case, a beneficiary sued the trustees for breach of duty after the trustees made a number of risky investments that lost money.



  • In a third case, a beneficiary sued the trustees for breach of duty after the trustees distributed trust assets to the beneficiaries in a way that was not in accordance with the terms of the trust deed.

 

Other possible disputes include:

  • A beneficiary was expecting more than what is set out in the trust document. This may be because the beneficiary had a reasonable belief that they would receive more, or because the trust document is unclear about the beneficiary’s entitlement.

 

  • The individual who set up the trust was provided with negligent or misleading advice. If the settlor was not properly advised about the consequences of setting up a trust, or if they were given incorrect information, they may be able to challenge the trust.

 

  • The trust document is either incomplete or unclear about the wishes of the deceased. If the trust document is incomplete or unclear, it can lead to disputes between the trustees and beneficiaries about how the trust should be administered.

 

  • A trustee acts against the best interests of the beneficiary or doesn’t administer the trust correctly. Trustees have a legal duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. If a trustee breaches their duty, the beneficiaries may sue the trustee.

If you are involved in an inheritance trust dispute, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. We can assess your case and advise you on your legal options.

Contesting a will is challenging the validity of a will. This can be done on a number of grounds, including.

  • The testator (the person who made the will) did not have the mental capacity to make a will.
  • The will was not executed correctly, i.e., it was not signed by the testator or witnessed by two independent witnesses.
  • The testator was unduly influenced to make the will.
  • The will was forged or fraudulent.

 

Contentious probate is any dispute about the administration of a deceased person’s estate. This can include disputes about

  • The validity of the will.
  • The interpretation of the will.
  • The appointment or removal of executors.
  • The distribution of the estate assets.
  • The management of the estate.
  • In the UK, contentious probate is dealt with by the High Court.

 

The main difference between contesting a will and contentious probate is that contesting a will is specifically challenging the validity of the will, while contentious probate can include a wide range of disputes about the administration of an estate.

Here is an example:

Contesting a will: A beneficiary challenges the validity of a will on the grounds that the testator did not have the mental capacity to make a will.

Contentious probate: A beneficiary disputes the interpretation of a will and argues that they are entitled to a larger share of the estate than they have been given.

It is important to note that the two terms are often used interchangeably. For example, a lawyer might say that they are “dealing with a contentious probate matter” when they are actually challenging the validity of a will.

If you are thinking about contesting a will or pursuing a contentious probate claim, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. We can assess your case and advise you on your legal options.

The time limit for making a contentious probate claim in the UK is six months from the grant of probate. This is the legal document that gives the executor the authority to administer the estate.

If you do not make your claim within this six-month time limit, you may need to apply to the court for permission to make a late claim. The court will only grant permission if you have a good reason for not making your claim on time.

There are a number of factors that the court will consider when deciding whether to grant permission for a late claim, including:

  • Why did you not make your claim on time?
  • The strength of your case.
  • Whether the other beneficiaries will be prejudiced if your claim is allowed to proceed.
  • If the court grants you permission to make a late claim, you will need to file your claim within 28 days.

 

It is important to note that there are some exceptions to the six-month time limit. For example, if the executor has committed fraud or concealed assets from the beneficiaries, the beneficiaries may be able to make a claim after the six-month time limit has expired.

If you are thinking about making a contentious probate claim, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A lawyer can assess your case and advise you on the time limits that apply and whether you have a good case.

Here are some examples of when you might be able to make a late contentious probate claim:

  • You were not aware of the death of the deceased until after the six-month time limit had expired.
  • You were unable to make your claim on time because you were ill or incapacitated.
  • The executor has deliberately concealed information from you about the estate.
  • The executor has committed fraud in the administration of the estate.

 

The 12-year limit for making a contentious probate claim in the UK applies to claims for reasonable financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975. This means that if you are making a claim for financial provision from an estate, you must do so within 12 years of the date of the deceased’s death.

The reason for the 12-year limit is to encourage people to make their claims as soon as possible after the deceased’s death. This is because it can become more difficult to investigate and prove a claim after a long period of time has elapsed.

If you are unsure whether you are able to make a late contentious probate claim, you should seek legal advice.

Most disputes in the UK are resolved out of court through mediation and negotiation. This is because it is generally faster, cheaper, and less stressful for all involved.

If you are considering disputing a will, it is important to contact a contentious probate specialist before you involve any other relatives or beneficiaries of the estate. A specialist lawyer can advise you on your legal options and help you to resolve the dispute quickly and efficiently.

Here are some of the benefits of resolving a will dispute out of court:

  • It is faster and cheaper than going to court.
  • It is less stressful for all involved.
  • It allows you to maintain relationships with other family members and beneficiaries.
  • You have more control over the outcome of the dispute.

 

There are a number of steps that you can take to try to resolve a contentious probate dispute without going to court, including

  • Negotiation: You can try to negotiate a settlement with the other parties to the dispute. This may involve making concessions on your part, but it can be a good way to avoid the time and expense of court proceedings.
  • Mediation: Mediation is a process where an independent mediator helps the parties to reach a mutually agreeable settlement. Mediation can be a good way to resolve a dispute without going to court, but it is important to note that it is not binding on the parties.
  • Arbitration: Arbitration is a more formal process than mediation, and it is binding on the parties. However, it can still be a good way to resolve a dispute without going to court.

 

If you are unable to resolve the dispute amicably, you will need to file a claim with the High Court. The court will then hold a hearing to decide the case.

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